Charlie Chaplin
Definition
Charlie Chaplin was a British comedian, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the silent era. He is best known for his character "The Tramp," which became a symbol of the downtrodden during the Great Depression.
Analogy
Think of Charlie Chaplin as the YouTube sensation of his time. Just like how popular YouTubers today use humor and creativity to entertain millions, Chaplin used slapstick comedy and pantomime in his films to captivate audiences worldwide.
Related terms
Silent Film Era: This refers to the period of cinema history from 1894 to 1929 when movies were without synchronized recorded sound or dialogue.
Great Depression: A severe worldwide economic depression that took place mostly during the 1930s, beginning in the United States.
Vaudeville: A theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. It was popular in English-speaking countries until around World War II.
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